Castles of Wales
Royal Mail will issue the last sheet in their "Castles"
generic stamp sheet series which is due to be issued on 1st March. The
sheet features 20 x 1st class definitive sized (DS) Welsh flag stamps
which first appeared in the celebrating Wales mini-sheet. The label images
depict well-known Welsh Castles and the
sheet is the fourth and final sheet in the
series of Smilers sheets featuring castles of the United Kingdom.
The Castles featured are: Caernavfon, Carreg Cennen, Biwmares (Beaumaris),
Cricieth, Harlech, Cas-Gwent (Chepstow), Dinefwr, Dolbadarn, Dolwyddelan
and Conway. (31/01)
New Year Update
A Happy New Year to all readers, contributors and collectors alike with
an apology for the apparent silence over the past month or so.
Seasonal and other commitments have kept me away from the computer but to
be honest there has not been much going on in the Smilers world.
That said, it is probably worth a quick re-cap of comings and goings by
way of a New Year update ....
Since our last report at the beginning
of December there have been only two new Business Customised Stamp sheets
announced that we are aware of. Sir Isaac Newton is the subject of
a new sheet from Adrian Bradbury due in January, whilst The Accession
of King George V is featured on a new sheet from Buckingham Covers,
due out in May.
You may have noticed a slight lull in the issue of new self-adhesive
Business sheets since last November. This is because Cartor have had
production problems which have delayed many planned releases including our
History of British Air Services. Thankfully this seems to have been
resolved as our supply of sheets arrived from the printers yesterday so
watch out for other sheet arrivals in the next few weeks or so as sheet
producers catch up on mailing out orders.
Other recent developments are a torrent of new
themed sheets from the George Kreisler stable. Marketed jointly by
Rushstamps (only those with print runs greater than 25) and the GB Stamp
Centre. You will find details of the limited availability Smilers at Gary
Harrop's new website www.smilers-sheets.co.uk.
First class sheets but in my opinion too many expensive sheets released
too close together to make collecting these interesting or enjoyable.
Talking about websites, Adrian Bradbury has managed to bag
the domain name www.smilers.co.uk from
the Co-Op bank so in future you will be able to find all your new Bradbury
Smilers at this easy to remember website.
Also in December, we saw a new Themed sheet from a limited
printing of 14 sheets from the folks behind the Isle of Pabay carriage
labels/customised stamp sheets which have made regular appearances for a
number of years. This year the label features the South Skye Lighthouse.
Finally, no takers for our Christmas Quiz so no prizes
awarded on this occasion. I can't decide whether it was the turkey, the TV
or just lack of cerebral activity over the festive season. (17/01)
